Succulents for beginners A year-round growing guide for healthy and beautiful plants

Matsuyama (The Gardener's Guide to Succulents) reviews the basics of caring for succulents in this charming primer. Native to arid areas, the sun-loving and often humidity-averse succulent has a reputation for being easy, yet, Matsuyama writes, "the trick is in how to care for them." To explain how to do so, she divides the plants into three season-based growth types (those that thrive in summer, spring, and winter), organizes them further by genus, and zooms in on their identifying characteristics, such as the color-changing rosettes of Echeveria, the fleshy leaves of Sedum, and the spiny shapes of cacti. Matsuyama shares her recommendations for soil mix, containers, pruning, repotting, watering, fertilizing, and observing the plants' dormancy. Most newbies make a common mistake--insufficient light--and Matsuyama takes a pragmatic, realistic approach, urging readers to let the plants hang out on their desk while they work, then move them to a sunny spot on the days they're not working. Matsuyama has a calming, whimsical touch, and the accompanying photos are spare and airy, full of natural light, weathered wood surfaces, and rough-textured pottery. Matsuyama's minimalist take is sure to please. (Mar.)